Marlins roster
Miami releases veteran pitcher Edinson Volquez to make room ahead of the Rule 5 draft.
LAKE BUENA VISTA — The Miami Marlins released right-hander Edinson Volquez on Wednesday, opening an extra spot on the 40-man roster in advance of the Rule 5 draft on Thursday.
President of baseball operations Michael Hill said the Marlins are open to bringing Volquez, 34, back on a minor league contract, which would allow him to continue his rehabilitation process with Miami’s trainers and medical personnel.
“The offer was extended,” Hill said. “We’d like to re-sign him and keep him in the fold and continue his rehab. We’ll see by the end of the summer where he’s at with his rehab.”
Volquez had Tommy John surgery to repair the torn ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow and is expected to miss at least most of the 2018 season.
Either way, the Marlins owe Volquez $13 million next season, the second year of a two-year, $22 million contract he signed last offseason. The only Marlin with a higher 2018 salary is third baseman Martin Prado at $13.5 million.
Miami has not received much value from that deal. Expected to be a veteran presence and rotation stabilizer, Volquez had a 4.19 ERA and 1.42 WHIP in 17 starts. He landed on the disabled list in July with left knee tendinitis, but while rehabbing that injury felt discomfort in his elbow. An MRI revealed the UCL tear, so Volquez had season-ending surgery.
The highlight of his season was a no-hitter against the Arizona Diamondbacks on June 3.
After getting rid of Volquez for now, the Marlins have 38 players on their 40-man roster, with the trade of Marcell Ozuna to the St. Louis Cardinals pending. That means there are two open spots in advance of the Rule 5 draft Thursday morning.
In the Rule 5 draft, teams can select eligible non-roster minor leaguers from other organizations, but have to carry them on their active roster (or DL) for the entire season, or offer that player back to their original team.
It’s normal for rebuilding clubs such as the Marlins to be active in the Rule 5, picking players who have a chance to stick and, at minimum, seeing how they stack up in spring training.
“Given where we’re at and the build of our organization, if there’s an opportunity like we’ve done in the past, where we were able to give at-bats to a [former Marlins Rule 5 pick] Dan Uggla, give at-bats to a Justin Bour … if we see a talent that we think can help us long-term, we’ll look to be active,” Hill said.